What are the traditional festivals in Russia?

Russian traditional festivals mainly include the New Year and the four seasons, and many religious festivals have become an indispensable part of Russian traditional life. New Year (New Year's Day): The Russian New Year was once held on March 1 day in early spring every year, and a grand ceremony was held on this day. At the end of 15, influenced by Byzantium, the festival was changed to September 1. It was not until 1699 that Peter the Great designated 65438+1 October1as the New Year according to the traditional habits of western European countries. Because festivals are similar, the Orthodox Church celebrates New Year and Christmas together. Santa Claus and Snow Girl are indispensable to celebrate the New Year. They present gifts to people to celebrate the New Year. 1930, the Soviet government officially designated the New Year as a national holiday. In the new year, all public places wear holiday clothes. Tall and beautiful New Year fir trees stand in the big square of the city, and all kinds of small gift fir trees are hung in the living room of every household. The tower-shaped fir tree symbolizes evergreen life. Sending Winter Festival (Meat Festival): The second most lively festival after the New Year is sending Winter Festival. Winter Festival is one of the four seasons, which lasts for one week at the end of February and the beginning of March. People worship the sun with golden brown pancakes, and at night they light bonfires and burn the winter queen statue made of straw. After people celebrate the long winter, the bright sun begins to bring warmth to the earth again. Although the Orthodox Church was introduced into Russia, it was unable to cancel this pagan folk festival, so it had to be renamed the Spring Ploughing Festival, which was arranged one week before the Spring Lent. After this week, people are not allowed to eat meat and dairy products when they enter Lent, so it is called Xie Meat Festival, which means to say goodbye to meat before Lent. The meat festival lasts for 7 days, each day has its own name, and the celebration methods are different. In the late 1960s, the Soviet government changed this festival into a winter festival, also known as the Russian Winter Carnival. The ancient customs and religious significance of this festival have disappeared. However, during the festival, costume parades will be held all over the country. Floats carry mythical figures such as the winter goddess and the Russian Three Warriors dressed up by people. People sing and dance, bid farewell to the cold winter and welcome the warm spring. Birch Festival: The second festival of Four Seasons Day is Birch Festival, which is June 24th every year in the Russian calendar. Birch Festival originated from the ancient summer solstice festival. The summer solstice is celebrated on June 22nd, when the sun reaches the highest point in the sky. This festival is full of sun worship. In rural areas, people wear holiday clothes and garlands and sing and dance around bonfires in summer. Some people jump down from the bonfire or burn old clothes to eliminate disasters and evil spirits, strengthen the body and get rid of diseases. People also threw birch branches and sacrifices into the lake to pray for the gods to bless the harvest. In ancient times, when Russia celebrated the summer solstice, it also went to the forest to find two small birch trees that were close together as sacrifices. Some places decorate small birch trees with garlands and ribbons. During the festival, the church is decorated with birch branches, and believers also hold birch branches for worship. This day cannot be celebrated without birch trees, so it has been called Birch Festival since 1964, or "Russian Little Birch Festival". Birch, as a symbol of Russian nation, has its historical origin. 11-15th century, many ancient Russian documents were carved on birch bark. Many Russian writers have fondly described birch trees. In the eyes of Russians, birch trees are so beautiful and straight. On Birch Festival, every family decorates their rooms with birch branches, cornflowers and bells. There will also be a get-together during the festival. The hostess is called "Little White Birch" and there will be a cross-dressing parade. The parade was surrounded by birch trees. Birch trees are everywhere.